Colorado-Kansas State: Buffaloes End Losing Streak, Spark QB Controversy

After seeing his offense average fewer than 300 yards in the last three games, Dan Hawkins decided to make a change at the quarterback position by starting redshirt freshman Tyler Hansen on half of the plays. The result was a 14-13 win and a developing quarterback controversy.

Hawkins, who has implemented the spread offense for the Buffaloes, had seen his defense keep the team in games against Kansas and Florida State.  However, the offense, led by Cody Hawkins, struggled to put up points.

Part of the offense’s problems was that Cody was too short. As a result, his throws were constantly getting tipped at the line of scrimmage.

The offensive line, which was built for speed and mobility on the outside, was constantly getting pushed back by stronger and bigger defensive linemen. Hawkins, who had a great year last year, was struggling to keep the offense on the field.

In the Kansas State game, Cody started for the Buffaloes on the first two drives. However, when the offense did not produce any points, Hawkins went to his freshman quarterback.

Hansen had trouble early on when he fumbled the first snap and had to quickly recover the ball and take the sack to avoid a turnover. However, he quickly shook off his mistake and drove the team down the field for a touchdown. In the drive, he added a new dimension to the spread offense by running for 49 yards on the drive.

With promising running backs Darrell Scott and Rodney “Speedy” Stewart, the Buffaloes did not have a single passing play on the entire drive as the running back tandem ran for 74 yards.

After stopping Kansas State again, the Buffaloes decided to let Hansen throw now that he was comfortable in the game. Hansen showed great poise in the shotgun and was very decisive.

Since Stewart was struggling to gain yards on the ground, the offense rode on Hansen’s arm, and he threw for 47 yards. He capped the drive off with a beautiful 21-yard lob that landed right in the receiver’s arms in the end zone.

The throw also showed Hansen’s understanding of the game as he pump-faked the ball to get the cornerback to stop. This allowed the receiver to get open in the end zone.

With that drive, the freshman won over the crowd. When Hansen was replaced by Cody in the game, the crowd starting chanting Hansen’s name, hoping for another touchdown. By the time the game had ended, Buffalo fans were cheering another win and wondering whether the freshman would start against ranked Missouri next week.

While Hansen did not lead his team to any more points, it is important to note that the two scoring drives and a drive that resulted in a missed field goal in the game were led by the freshman.

Hansen, however, is not without his mistakes. He needs to stop staring at the receiver he throws to because cornerbacks can read his eyes and intercept his pass, as seen by his interception on his third drive.

Another aspect of quarterbacking that Hansen can work on is going through his progressions. In the game, he locks on to one or two receivers and runs if they are not open, instead of seeing his third and fourth receivers.

These learning adjustments come with practice and experience in football games, which Hansen will get since he is a redshirt freshman.

The difference in the offenses led by Hawkins and Hansen was that Hansen brought mobility to the quarterback position and provided an additional threat for the defense to account for. As a result, the offense looked similar to the Oregon Ducks' run-oriented spread offense last year.

That offense was considered the best in Division I football because it was a quick strike offense that gained a lot of points relatively quickly.

More importantly, the offense confused and wore down linebackers because the defense could not tell whether the quarterback or the running back was going to run. Then when the linebackers would near the line of scrimmage to stop the run, the Ducks would throw the ball down the field, where the receiver would be one on one with the corner.

While the Buffaloes are far from producing like the Oregon Ducks offense, Colorado has a lot of youth at the quarterback and running back position and seems to have a promising future with the run-oriented spread offense.